Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-31
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The plans below show a harbour in 2000 and how it looks today.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Student answer (Band 6.0)
The maps illustrate the evolution of Porth Harbour from 2000 to the present time.
It is clear that a number of modifications have been made to the harbour. These include changing the path of a car park, swapping the location of the fishing boats and the marina, building new showers and toilets, a dock, and cafes and shops, converting a disused castle into a hotel, and reserving a private beach for the hotel.
In 2000, the path for the both car parks was attached with the main road. However, the second car park changed its path now to the subroad leading to the harbour. Additionally, there is additional showers and toilets constructed between two car parks. The marina (private yachts) and the fishing boats switched their places over the period. Moreover, a new dock has been constructed alongside the previous dock now.
The two maps also show that the passenger ferries and lifeboat remained the same, whereas a new hotel has been built in the place of the disused castle. A path has been constructed toward the hotel for the transportation. Finally, the private beach near the hotel is now reserved only for the hotel.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response successfully identifies the main features of the harbour's evolution. You have provided a clear overview and highlighted key changes such as the relocation of facilities and the conversion of the castle. However, the report could be improved by grouping the information more logically; for instance, separating infrastructure changes from commercial developments would enhance the clarity of the comparison. While all key features are mentioned, some descriptions, such as the 'path for the car parks', are slightly vague. To reach a higher band, ensure that the comparison between the two time periods is more analytical rather than just a list of changes.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response is logically organized with a clear introduction and body paragraphs. You use cohesive devices such as 'Additionally', 'Moreover', and 'Finally' to link ideas. However, the flow between sentences is sometimes mechanical. For example, the transition between the car park description and the marina relocation feels a bit abrupt. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the specific details. To improve, try to use a wider variety of cohesive devices and ensure that referencing (e.g., 'the two maps') is used to connect ideas more fluidly across the entire text.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'evolution', 'modifications', and 'disused'. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'path for the both car parks was attached with the main road', which sounds unnatural. The use of 'subroad' is also not standard English. To achieve a higher score, focus on more precise collocations and academic phrasing. For instance, instead of saying 'switched their places', you could use 'were relocated' or 'swapped positions'. Your vocabulary is sufficient to convey meaning clearly, but lacks the sophistication required for higher bands.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While you successfully use passive voice ('has been constructed', 'has been built'), there are several grammatical errors. For example, 'there is additional showers' should be 'there are additional showers', and 'the path for the both car parks' is awkward. Punctuation is generally correct, but some sentence structures are slightly clunky. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles. Increasing the variety of complex structures while maintaining accuracy will help you move toward a higher band.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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